Sam Ramatalla

I always wanted to
be a professional rider from a young age, albeit an event rider. I finally
got my own pony at 12 years old, and he turned from a very average palomino
into the star of the pony club teams. It was my instructor who believed I
would be able to make a career out of my ability so, much to my mother's
horror, I left home at 16 and went to work as a working pupil in an event/hunt
yard.

To my surprise I
was immediately promoted to 'rider', and spent the next 3 years producing young
event horses. I did however realise at this point, that I wanted to specialise
in dressage. I started training with Ferdi Eilberg and represented GB in
Ireland in 1998 on the young rider dressage team with my Thoroughbred mare 'May
Bee'. It was after this a client gave me a huge opportunity by setting me up
with a yard and buying me my first 'proper' dressage horse, a 3yo
stallion called 'Rosso Tetti'.

I stayed there for
5 years during which time I had a huge amount of success, including winning the
Talent Spotting finals and riding internationally again as a young rider, with
another stallion 'Washbrook Sunbeam'. May Bee was by then competing at Small
tour level (PSG/INT1) and Rosso was doing young horse classes.

I then based
myself at Lime Tree EC for 5 years, during which time, Rosso and I gained an
invitation for the World Class Squad trials. Sadly this was never meant to be,
as he became lame with his poor feet, and would never return to competition. At
this time I was training with the late Jane Gregory, and she trained me to
Grand Prix with WGS Matcho.

Since 2010, I have been training and
producing dressage horses for Seagry Stud, being trained by Carl Hester and
Spencer Wilton. Presently I am in charge of producing and competing two top
competition mares that I have produced since 4 year olds. The first, Seagry Rohsan has recently started in
Prix St Georges, winning her first three competitions at the level. She is also
contesting at the BD regional finals at Advanced medium and Prix St Georges
level in August. The second, Seagry Sanay
has recently upgraded to Advanced Medium, and she was 12th at this level at the
regional finals, and 3rd at Medium level, so we are very much hoping she will
get a wild card at this level for the National championships.

I also have my own 5yo Hawtins Falerno who has yet to be beaten! He has just started at elementary
level, and I am very excited for his future! With a qualification for the
winter regionals at Elementary already secured.

Polly Williamson

Polly Williamson won six gold medals as Junior and young Rider European Championships (as Polly Lyon riding Highland Road and Folly's Last) as well as numerous other wins at International competitions, including placings at both Badminton and Burghley. Polly understands the pressures in preparing well for competitions at all levels. She is a well respected trainer from Pony/Riding Club to International level and this experience and natural empathy underpins her coaching.

A little of Polly's history

I started riding when I was 3 years old and was lucky enough to ride ponies throughout my childhood in North Wales. I began Pony Club eventing when I was 11 years and competed in the Pony Club Championships a good few times picking up a few rosettes on the way!

My first horse was a dun Highland cross called Highland Road whom I started eventing when I was 15 years and Highland Road was 6 years. We went from Pony Club through Junior and Young Rider teams all the way to Badminton and Senior European Championships. I also produced a beautiful thoroughbred called Folly's Last with whom I won a further 2 young rider gold medals as well as winning Bramham Young Rider National Championships.

When I was 23 years I started The Charlton Park Eventing Yard and ran a successful business there for almost twenty years, producing horses for owners and competing internationally as well as teaching. Around 2009 Horse Hero asked me to write a monthly blog and this I was delighted to do.

In December 2010 I had a serious fall while training at Charlton Park. Unfortunately I had a bad head injury and although I am fine, I now no longer ride. However, I'm beginning to teach a large amount which I'm thrilled to be able to do. Coupled with this, I still follow my previous top horse Smart Time, now ridden by Dani Evans and owned by Luana Edge. I teach regularly at Luana's yard and she very much keeps me up to date with his progress.

I gain huge enjoyment from teaching and was lucky enough to have lessons from many of the worlds' best: Yogi Breisner, Pammy Hutton, Angela Tucker to name but a few. My aim now is to expand my teaching, learn more and to move forward in my new career.

Cassie Price

Cassie is a 3* event rider and BHSII instructor.

Cassie is a partner in Corinium Livery Stables now based at Ampney Down Farm, Stow Road, Cirencester where we shall be holding our Riding Club clinics.

Having produced her own horses, Cassie is experienced in all three phases of eventing, drawing on her own expertise to help you achieve your eventing and equine goals at all levels.

Cassie will be holding show jumping and pole clinics at Ampney Down Farm and Rectory Farm for the club.

Richard is a BE accredited trainer and was formerly the Riding Master for the Household Cavalry. His credentials also include Chef d'Equipe to GBR Senior Dressage Team and He has also competed at CCI 4* level including placings at Badminton, Blenheim, Luhmuhlen and Blenheim.

He has trained our members at clinics, training days and our annual residential camp.